OCS Archive Site

Introducing Amazon Workspaces for the OCS Environment.

posted Oct 5, 2015, 6:28 AM by Caroline Nzui

The OCS Operational Support Unit has released the Amazon
Workspaces for OCS users. Amazon mentions that WorkSpaces is a managed desktop
computing service in the cloud that allows
customers to easily provision cloud-based desktops that allow end-users to
access the documents, applications and resources they need with the device of
their choice, including laptops, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android tablets, and zero
clients.

This enables OCS users to access published applications on
the OCS environment. This is particularly useful for users who access OCS and
travel or work from home.

Some of the benefits realized in using Amazon WorkSpaces are:

1.Easy to
use - Users will be provided with a link to the Amazon WorkSpace client, where
they can to login to the OCS eminent using the credentials provided by OSU
support.

2.Secure – When users are using
Amazon WorkSpaces, data is not sent to or stored on end-user devices. This
offers a secure, high quality experience between users’ devices and their
WorkSpaces. Amazon WorkSpaces
incorporates PCoIP
technology from Teradici which compresses, encrypts, and encodes the users’
desktop computing experience and transmits ‘pixels only’ across any standard IP
network to users’ stateless zero clients, PCs, laptops and mobile devices.

3.Desktop
and Mobile compatibility: Amazon WorkSpaces clients are available for both
Windows and Mac computers, for iPad, Kindle Fire, and Android tablets, as well
as for zero clients. When WorkSpaces are provisioned for users, they will get
an email containing details on how they can download the clients. The
WorkSpaces PC or Mac client provides users with full access to their desktop
and includes support for multiple monitors, audio, and video.

4.Flexible payment structure: Amazon offers a
pay-as-you-go model with no long-term commitment. This means that Centers will
only be charged for what they use.This
is a unique feature that distinguishes Amazon Workspaces from other cloud
virtual desktop providers, such as Citrix.